Students put bosses in spotlight at Telford school
Students were given the opportunity to grill local business people at an event in Telford.
Business In The Community, a charity which promotes responsible business, organises events each year aimed at giving young people a better understanding of how companies provide support for their local areas.
This year saw a series of Question Time-style events, with students invited to ask questions of a panel of people with links to the local business community.
Dozens of students from Hadley Learning Community, Telford Park School in Stirchley, Ercall Wood Technology College and Madeley Academy attended the event at the Hadley school.
They had the chance to ask questions of Martin Simmelker of Fujitsu, Paul Hinkins, who runs Business Watch Guarding and chairs Telford Business Board, BBC Radio Shropshire editor Tim Beech, James Mead of manufacturing giant Saint Gobain, which has a foundry in Ketley, John Gallagher of Capgemini, Katherine Kynaston of Telford & Wrekin Council, and Shropshire Star business editor Thom Kennedy.
Questions covered the ethics of running a business – and a radio station – the role of not-for-profit organisations, changes in society and their impact on business such as the up-coming EU referendum and the personality required to become a successful entrepreneur.
Mr Gallagher, who also chaired the event, said: "It was refreshing to see the nature of the questions.
"Young people are starting to talk about entrepreneurial qualities, which you may not have heard from them a few years ago.
"It means they are asking about what an employer is looking for. The panel had big organisations with a local presence, and independent organisations, and that provided a great way for young people to see there are lots of different pathways to careers."
Dave Hughes, of Business In The Community, added: "It's to get these young people into thinking about responsible business."
